Tuesday, March 17, 2009

ms & a little owl

I've been debating whether to tell you or not, but I feel bad when I say I'm posting something tomorrow, or the following week, and then disappear for a while, so... I have multiple sclerosis and it sucks. Sometimes I'm too tired to do anything, and that's why I'm such a "random poster" :)

On to nicer things! Look at this little embroidered owl I posted in the new shop!

I've been thinking about my dad a lot, and I remembered one afternoon when I was around Oli's age (5 almost 6), and he got home from work with a lot of different colors of thread and fabric and showed me how to embroider :) Isn't that the sweetest memory? I miss him so much. These have been such difficult months!
Oh, & I'm finally starting with the ms medicine on Friday (I was on denial for the longest time, I should have started a long time ago), and I'm terrified of needles, so wish me luck!

Posted by Ana Paula at 6:24 PM

52 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    I love your book (Amigurumi World) & your blog! I've already made gifts from the patterns & everyone loved them. My brother has MS & also does the interferon injections - thank God he is doing well & you will too. There are many promising treatments being developed now & I think that someday in the not too distant future, there will be a cure.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MichelleMarch 17, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    I know I don't know you (I wish I did.) Just wanted to know you are in my thoughts!

    That owl is cute and I think your crochet patterns are amazing. I've made a few!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LauraMarch 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    I am loving on the owl and the new shop.
    My mom has MS and hates the shots. She gets her shot Monday night and Tuesday is her sick day. She gets a little sick from the shot and a lot sleepy but she thinks they are well worth it the rest of the time.
    I was just watching Oprah she had Montel Williams on and he was talking about his MS. He has a new book out maybe you should check it out. :)
    Feel Better!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. KizmatMarch 17, 2009 at 8:34 PM

    I'm sorry to hear about your MS. May you have more good days than bad. We're lucky to have your postings, and I can't wait for the next book to come out! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    Hi Ana,
    I LOVE your new stamps!(Lily & Charlotte will try to get them off me I know!) They are so cute! I love the memory of your Dad teaching you to embroider - what a beautiful thing to do and to remember. Thinking of you with the MS treatment.
    Fiona in Australia

    ReplyDelete
  6. rachelimMarch 17, 2009 at 9:50 PM

    I know someone who has MS and she has held out for many years!

    Keep hoping and good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear thst you have MS. One of my good friends also has it - I know how hard it can be. My thoughts are with you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. greetingartsMarch 18, 2009 at 12:03 AM

    Oh Ana, so sorry to hear the news, on top of everything so far this year. Try to stay positive, I love the memory you have of your father. How wonderful. Sending you all my good thoughts and wishes for happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 18, 2009 at 4:04 AM

    Que pena que esa enfermedad te este invadiendo tu cuerpo. Se que es muy doloroso y saca mucha la energia de uno. Descansa mucho y cuidate que te queremos muchos tus fans. Dios te bendiga muchisimo y te guarde.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousMarch 18, 2009 at 4:08 AM

    I'm really sorry for you and wish you all the best so that you may have enough strenght to get through all of this. I know it's easy to say if you're not involved but it's truly ment.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LauraMarch 18, 2009 at 4:14 AM

    I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I must tell you that I absolutely LOVE your work. I started crocheting last fall and have made SO many of the patterns from your book. I can't wait until your new book comes out. I even stumbled across your article/patterns in "Knit" with the Chinese Zodiac amis, and have made about 7 of them so far. I wish you only the best...you will be in my thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  12. mariarrosaMarch 18, 2009 at 5:02 AM

    Un abrazo muy fuerte.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MaryAnneMarch 18, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    Sorry to hear about the MS diagnosis. I hope your medication helps. My MIL has MS, so I know how debilitating it can be...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Howie WooMarch 18, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    You're a super example of how artistry can persist and flourish, despite MS or any health hurdle.

    I see your designs everywhere on the internet--made by your many fans--and their presence reflects your amigurumi-pioneering achievement & influence, thank you!

    I saw you and your work on Knit&Crochet Today on PBS, and it was a thrill. You are very inspiring :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMarch 18, 2009 at 4:24 PM

    I'm sorry to hear about your MS diagnosis. Please take care of yourself! Wishing you all the best with your treatment. God bless you! Maria D.

    ReplyDelete
  16. SoniaMarch 18, 2009 at 5:44 PM

    que hermoso recuerdo de tu papá! por otro lado, estoy segura de que el que no le tiene miedo a las agujas no es gente, asi que vos dale para adelante :o) espero te sientas muy bien prontito. un besote!

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownMarch 18, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    que pena que te suceda esto, hay que estar positivos porque asi uno enfrenta mejor las cosas y ademas por tus nenitas =D todo estara bien

    te mando un abracito y que te sea leve

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMarch 18, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    So sorry to hear about the MS. I hope the injections work wonders for you.
    About not posting as often as you would like: a little while ago another blogger started a movement called "blogging without obligation" (http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233), and I think this applies to you.
    I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we feel privileged that you share your wonderful patterns and posts with us, and would never judge or be critical if the posts didn't come very often.
    Just stay well, and - when we see you - we will welcome you the way we would a much-loved friend.
    Best wishes.
    Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  19. SamanthaMarch 18, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    I'm sorry to hear about your ms. I want to let you know that I love your work! My sister-in-law made gifts for christmas and she was the one that tought me from your book and I'm really looking forward to the new one!

    ReplyDelete
  20. RaynaMarch 19, 2009 at 7:03 AM

    I LOVE the stamps! Best of wishes and luck on coping with MS. My best friends mum had MS, she was also a crafter who worked with her hands. It was hard on her, she was a trooper.

    Be a trooper:):):) And don't feel bad when you're not a trooper, cos it's ok to feel tired and crap. Please take care xxx.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    I am so sorry to hear your news, I have your first book and use making your patterns to cope with my own rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases are not easy, but you can find in yourself more strength than you thought you had and also have days where you just feel crap. Sending you strength and peaceXX

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    Ana,

    I wish that I had words to encourage you during this difficult time. You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I learned of your father's passing- and will continue to be in them as you adjust to your recent MS diagnosis. I am praying for strength for you and encouragement during this time. Thank you for all of your wonderful amigurumi patterns, which bring cheer to so many others. You are an inspiration to so many of us!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMarch 20, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    What a beautiful memory you have about your dad teaching you how to embroider!

    Thanks for sharing the cafe con leche cup, your owl embroidery (So cute!) and congratulations on being featured in a magazine!:)

    I'm sad to hear about your ms, I hope you pull through it just fine.

    Que dios te bendiga,
    -Samantha

    ReplyDelete
  24. LuliMarch 20, 2009 at 6:53 PM

    Todo va a estar bien... hay que ser positiva siempre, la esperanza nunca se pierde.
    Muy lindas todas tus cosas nuevas!
    Te felicito.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kara Lynn RussellMarch 20, 2009 at 8:22 PM

    Ana,
    I love your amigurumi creations and have had a lot of fun with the patterns in Amagurumi World. Just wanted to add my best wishes for you along with everyone else. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousMarch 21, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs and good thoughts from Toronto! Be strong:)

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownMarch 22, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    I love everything that you do and I want to thank you for inspiring me to learn how to crochet to begin with! (I only knew how to knit) So thanks a million, you've started me on this awesome hobby and you're so awesomely talented. Best wishes to you and your family. Just remember, "Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, then its not the end."
    PS Can't wait for your second book in June! :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. ChrystelMarch 23, 2009 at 12:54 PM

    I love and have your blog and your world near from me always... my step-mother has the ms... i know a little... all my thoughts and courage for you... i'm with you... biz

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMarch 24, 2009 at 12:10 AM

    Hi Ana,

    I'm one of your many fans and am so sorry to hear about your illness. I will be sending many good thoughts your way.

    Last year I made my daughters a doggy, a girl elephant, and a mommy monkey from your book and they just love them.

    All my best wishes to you,

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  30. GIMENAMarch 24, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    Hola Paula!
    Te sigo hace mucho y lamento tanto de tu enfermedad...
    Siempre tené fé en Dios ya que nunca nos manda una carga más pesada que la que nuestros hombros puedan soportar. De seguro en algún momento del camino sabrás el porqué se sucedieron de esta forma las cosas.
    Mucha fuerza para seguir adelante!
    Tenés un don en las manos para hacer esos amigurumis tan bellos, tan simpáticos, adorables!
    Un afectuoso abrazo desde Tucumán, Argentina.

    ReplyDelete
  31. angelaMarch 24, 2009 at 9:46 PM

    I'm new to your blog...but love your book. Know that you're in my prayers. The embroidered owl is super cute and so is the amigurumi cup of coffee. I gotta make that soon...thanks for the pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  32. J. HunterMarch 24, 2009 at 11:58 PM

    Hello, Ana.
    You just added me to your contacts on Flickr. My name is Jana. I am a teacher in Saudi Arabia and I have made at least four of your ami's from book one for my students this year!
    I am so sorry about the MS. With science working hard all the time, I pray they find a cure soon, or, at the very least a good medication to help you cope.
    I found out about your second book from someone on Ravelry, and immediately ran (cyber running! The BEST kind! LOL) over to Amazon and pre-ordered it! I can't wait to get it.
    Hang in there. I will pray for you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. March 25, 2009 at 4:33 AM

    I am sorry to hear about your medical condition. I have endometriosis and have recently been diagnosed with diabetes - which makes me a random poster as well. Your work is wonderful...inspiring...I love it. Keep your head up and I will keep you in my prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Stitch 'n FrogMarch 25, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    I love your patterns and have your Seriously Cute Crochet book. It's one of my most favorite books~

    No matter how grown up, or how old we get, we all miss our parents when they pass away. I miss my parents very much, even though I'm a great-grandmother.

    Please cultivate a good outlook on Life, because that can make a huge difference in your daily pain level.

    You will be in my thoughts and hopes, for more pain-less or less-pain days.

    Crochet hugs,
    gail e

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousMarch 25, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    Hola Ana Paula,
    Lindisimo tu buho!!! Ademas, es muy especial :)
    Espero que hayas empezado tu tratamiento para MS, y te deseo todo lo mejor!!!
    Que Dios te bendiga!
    Maria D.

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousMarch 26, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    Love this little owl... and your other embroideries as well ! OH... I also have your 1st book and love it too, my daughter (3 y. old) like to look at the pictures and make up stories as she browse trough it !

    About the MS ... my niece just got diagnosed with MS, she has 3 kids and at the moment works outside the home, is was a real shock for her to learn that she has MS but she is doing al little better now , she has also started treatment. It must not be easy ( I don't have ms but I do suffer from FM and I'm in remission from Hodgkin's lymphoma).
    Don't let bad thoughts linger in your mind, discard them right away, replace them with good memories and surround yourself with positive things that will built you up not crumble you down. Enjoy everyday to the full and find joy in the little things !!!

    About your Dad... It will be 17 years this coming September since I lost mine and I still miss him greatly. So good to have many good memories !

    You may find this online brochure/article helpful (just copy and paste it) ...
    http://www.watchtower.org/e/we/article_00.htm

    It helped me !

    ReplyDelete
  37. MaggiMarch 27, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    What a great owl! I'm sorry that you have MS, I'll pray for you! I just bought your book yesterday and I am in love! I'm hoping to be able to buy your Karamari Damacy pattern ASAP, I love those games and must make the Prince and his cousins! Thanks for sharing your talent, take care and I can't wait for the second book!

    ReplyDelete
  38. ValériaMarch 28, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    Olá Ana, parabéns pelos trabalhos, estão lindos, obrigada por partilhar o pattern do little cup, é lindo esse amigurumi.

    Tenho certeza que o livro Amigurumi Two será um sucesso, assim como já é sucesso o livro Amigurumi World.

    Bom final de semana, muito sucesso, muita paz e muito amor.

    Beijos, Valéria.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Chandra the Crazed QuilterApril 2, 2009 at 1:39 PM

    Ana,

    I feel for you. I have some chronic illnesses myself and am a very infrequent blogger. I've been working on a commission quilt for two years and I thought it'd only take me a year to do. It's not done yet, either!

    You'd tell a friend to take care of herself first as she's more important than a blog, so do the same for yourself.

    Thanks for sharing your work. It's wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousApril 2, 2009 at 6:56 PM

    I haven't been a regular reader so I don't know much about your life. I am, however, inspired to tell you about what happened to my husband and I. He was diagnosed 4 years ago with MS and was having constant symptoms and then he had two exaserbations each year, went blind in one eye and then couldn't walk. He was already on the ms shot avonex so they told him he should try tysabre but instead I found that his ms symptoms looked alot like celiac disease and so I asked if he wanted to try going gluten free. He did and in 2 wks we could tell that there was improvement and that he was much better my guess (i'm not a dr) is that he had an underlying condition that was a form of celiac and that because of the ms he would have a exaserbation whenever he got too much gluten it would cause his immune system to go nuts because of the ms. if you want to hear more about it you can email me at auroraln@maine.rr.com this is really just for your info, I don't sell anything but I wished someone had told me about this 4 years ago. We also added vitamin d to his diet.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Diana Jiron GraffApril 3, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    I am very sorry about everything that you are going through, I have read your post a few times and each time I leave with out saying anything, there is nothing to say to give you comfort, I can't imagine loosing some one so loved, I have been lucky not to experience that so far, and as for being sick, I give thanks every day for my little family being healthy, I have seen enough loved ones come down with different illness.
    I will say a little prayer for you, to get better and for your soul to start healing after such a great loss
    muchos abrazos, Diana de Canada

    ReplyDelete
  42. LaurenApril 6, 2009 at 12:21 AM

    hi, I'm glad this is moderated, I wanted to leave a note just for you. I appreciated seeing your work. Your writing voice is so nice to read, and you have such a good eye for design! By far the cutest things of this style I've seen online, (and I've been looking around for three days at least! ;0) seriously!)
    Take good care of yourself! The world needs you.

    ReplyDelete
  43. artemisaApril 7, 2009 at 8:16 AM

    Hola. Yo deseo comprar tu libro pero no tengo tarjeta de credito para comprarlo en las páginas que los venden por lo que quería preguntarte si es posible que me lo vendas a través de un giro postal. gracias espero tu visita y tu respuesta.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Lainey LaineApril 7, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    Ana, So lovely to meet you. I discovered you book the other day whilst looking for something to with crochet. I have your lovely book now and I think its wonderful. I am finding it hard to start off, getting the right tension etc. I used to crochet year's ago. My Nan taught me the art, god rest her soul.

    I was so pleased to discover that you are a journaler too! I have been journalling for many year's now. I did a Fine Art Degree two year's ago and its only just recently that I've had time to be creative again.

    I hope you don't mind but I put a pic of your lovely crocheted pear on my blog header. He is just so cute!

    I am really sorry about your illness. I do hope that it does not cause you too much discomfort.

    Lovely to meet you.
    Elaine x

    ReplyDelete
  45. TracyCApril 7, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    I'm so sorry about the MS as well as losing your father. Please know you bring a lot of joy to others through your darling creations. :-) Prayers for you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. mirariApril 14, 2009 at 5:46 AM

    adelante con todo!
    un abrazo fuerte :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. PortlandiaApril 14, 2009 at 4:04 PM

    Love the little owl!
    Enjoy your spring and take very good care of yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Bethel of BethaniaApril 18, 2009 at 9:52 PM

    G'day Ana,
    I love all the crochet cuteness you make & design having just found your blog... sorry to hear of you MS... so hope the medication is doing you well... needles aren't nice so you have to think of them doing something special for you.. like jabs of creativity & maybe that will make them not feel so bad... all the very best... OOroo... Bethel of Bethania from Down Under

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousApril 19, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    somehow i had not seen this blog entry until today, but i wanted to say that i have faith in your strength and ability to continue to live with your MS. you are a very wonderful, flourishing artist with tons of faithful fans. :]
    i adore your blog, your personality, your amis, everything.. and i hope you continue to strive to be the amazing woman you are. :] god bless!

    ReplyDelete
  50. zknitzMay 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM

    Ana-

    I love your amigurumi - and I think your new book will be a huge success. I wanted to let you know that I check your blog frequently in hopes that you are feeling well enough to blog. I am sending you good thoughts and hope that you are feeling better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  51. UnknownMay 8, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Glad you coped with the needles by the way, and hope it'll all kick in soon...
    Good thoughts sent your way from blogland.

    ReplyDelete
  52. UnknownMarch 24, 2010 at 12:44 PM

    I, too am in infrequent blogger. I have kidney disease and just found out last Wednesday (March 17th, 2010) that I have lost function in my kidney, I only have one as the other was removed 11 yrs ago due to severe scarring.

    I have always loved your amis and in fact have both of your books. I loved your interview last year on the Knit and Crochet Today show.

    {{{{Hugs}}} from someone who understand chronic illness. Take care of yourself :)

    Cora

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts with Thumbnails